Stage Your Home - Sell Your Home.

These 8 Tips are a Must!

Roll up Your Sleeves

It’s time to put in a little elbow grease and get your house ready for the market. A coat of paint and a good cleaning is first up on the list. Make repairs to walls, steps, decking and patio concrete. Does your family have a pet, or does anyone smoke, or do you store gym bags in the front closet? Don't forget to deodorize. Tidy up, repair, clean and revitalized.

De-clutter

The buyers want to see your house, not your mess. Go through every room, scrutinizing every item. That means your basement, crawlspace and garage. Remember the disposal of hazardous materials such as paint, engine oil and batteries will require special attention.

Buyers Buy Space in Real Estate

If you are able to show more space, whether it be living or storage space, more buyers will be interested in your house. It is easier said than done especially if you and your family are still living in it. Try a little harder to pack up items and organize shelves and clear floor areas. Rearrange and neutralize rooms. Your personal taste is just well 'yours'. The buyer wants to dream about how to make it theirs.

The Most Important Room - The Kitchen

To the buyer, it’s all about the kitchen and that ‘we can move in anytime’ feeling. Try to make your kitchen sleek-yet-functional. Move less-oft used items out of the way for example some countertop appliances. The kitchen is not just for a woman. The space in the kitchen is important to all family members, now, more so than ever.

Flow and Invitation

Make it an entertainer's dream. Set the table with a romantic atmosphere or why not dinner for ten. Are there enough chairs around the large dining room table? Update light fixtures and lamps.

Cushions and Warmth

Your home should be warm, not sterile or cold. Add some cushions here, a rug there even a painting on the bare wall. Everybody loves a flower arrangement. That fresh home-baked smell is especially inviting.

Pay attention to Curb Appeal

Go outside and look at the front of your home. Access both the front and back yards. Observe with critical eyes as though you are the buyer and how they might see it. Remember the front door. Replace the house numbers if they look old and tired. Position them where they are easily visible from the road.

 Tips to Save Money

Shedding excess baggage before a move makes sense. Experts agree that families in most homes could get rid of about 30% of the contents and never miss it. Imagine if you got rid of thousands of pounds of clutter. Then you don’t have to pay to move it. A garage sale may be a good idea. Then trash. Return, donate or put into storage any items just lying around.

It may be worth the one-hour rate of pay to hire a professional Home Stager to get specific custom suggestions and don't forget For more tips on how to get your house ready for sale, give Chris Ashby a call #403-680-4479

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No-Nonsense Pricing Sells Calgary Home Fast

According to the Globe and Mail, this week, it was a no-nonsense price of $438,000 that helped sell a two-storey house in the community of Copperfield SE Calgary. Based on statistics, it took an average of 40 days to sell a home in last years housing market and many sales stalled altogether due to the market downturn.

Also - Old Ways to Sell a Home are Back

There are several tactics home-owners can use to speed up the process of selling a home whether it's a two-story house, large estate home or condo. Staging is still the number one way. Be ready for the real estate agent on opening day when they give people the tour. Staging can pay off in many ways such as multiple showings on the first day.

Home Staging Ideas

First impressions are important in selling your home. Real Estate agents have tips for dos and don’ts. They may even recommend an agency that provides home staging as part of their expertise.

The Showing

There is something very intriguing about a couple waiting their turn to look at a house after seeing another potential buyer exit with their real estate agent and then even another couple waiting to enter as they, the interested-but-not-sure buyer leave. The 'buzz' about that home being 'hot' and the next-in-line buyer not wanting to miss a deal can result in more than one offer before nightfall.

Property Evaluation

Most Real Estate Agents will conduct an in-depth analysis of your property's value using the data from the Agency’s records for recent sales in the area to determine its worth. Property values can go up and down in surprisingly short periods of time. Only an experienced Real Estate Agent has this reliable data at their finger tips.

Give Chris a call #403-680-4479

 

EDRA Pro is the New Way to Go

Get the "To-Do" List Done

EDRA Pro is the professional answer to tackle your 'TO-DO List'. Like many busy people you are getting tired of unfinished jobs around the house because you don't have the time, think the job will be too expensive or simply don't know where to start? EDRA Pro is the answer for you. It's easy too!

How Does EDRA Pro Work?

As a member of EDRA Pro, for a monthly fixed fee, you get a set number of hours that you can use when you need a job done. You can also bank up to 12 months of hours for protection against larger unexpected repairs from plumbing to electrical or plan some renovations. The Calgary-based team at EDRA Pro is there whenever you need them. They work on the difficult jobs that come with owning a house so you don't have to.

EDRA Pro's Commitment

EDRA Pro is perfect for you. Why? Perhaps you are handy but need help with more complicated plumbing, electrical or carpentry tasks. The Silver Package includes the basics of all of our services with labour based at $70 per hour. The standard Gold Package is right for the average home owner. It includes a complimentary inspection. There are savings with the Gold Package as labour is based at only $60 per hour. Also, save 15% of material costs and get free light bulbs.

Save Even More!

Save up to 40% with the 'Platinum Package'. It is designed for owners of multiple rental properties or older homes requiring major renovations. The labour costs are a great deal at $50 per hour.

Mother's Day is Just around the Corner

Do you want those jobs on the "Honey-Do-List" done? What a bonus gift for your Sweetie when the repairs to the bathroom, wall, basement, roof and even backyard are taken care of. Our full service team will be there to handle all your needs.

Need more info or want to sign up now for this great service call Chris at 403-680-4479.

Light at the End of the Tunnel for Oil Prices

As some IEA analysts predict 2016 prices for crude oil will be more stable at levels of about $40 a barrel. The International Energy Agency's outlook is considered to be the light at the end of long tunnel regarding the future outlook for the Alberta economy. Natural attrition on supply and suggestions of a deal to freeze production at early 2016 levels is what experts in the field predict.

Don't Forget What Goes Down Must Come Up

As the IEA, the global watchdog for the industry makes predictions the positive view is welcome by the oil industry. The market and its subsequent spin-off of jobs in the energy sector could be on the upswing.

History Shows Deep Oil-Price Declines Followed by Recoveries

As the past has shown, and according to Martin Pelletier, CFA, portfolio manager at Calgary-based TriVest Wealth Counsel Ltd. the 79% decline during 2008-09 was followed by a 274% recovery; the 59% drop during 1996-98 was followed by a 244% recovery; the 66% decline from 1990-93 was followed by a 90% recovery; and the 62% drop during 1985-86 was followed by a 273% recovery rate.

Help from the Government

There has been and will be more help from the Federal Government. The Feds have confirmed plans to provide $251.4 million to Alberta under a program designed to help provinces hit by sudden revenue downturns. Since the collapsing oil prices, the fiscal stabilization program provides help to provinces when revenues fall by more than 5% from one year to the next. This 'program money ' is allocated on a per capita basis, at $60 a person.

Bright Lights

This is a good time for the real estate market as people are looking to buy in or upgrade their home before the bounce back. Why not give Chris a call? Tel. #403-680-4479

 

 

Murder Scene – Home for Sale

Murder Scene – Home for Sale

That particular headline on a Real Estate listing is something you will likely never see. Have you ever wondered after a widely publicized crime scene what happens to the house? Well it depends. Residents of many quiet, middle class suburbs find themselves grappling with that question across the country. Some wonder how the family could even sell the home, let alone who’d buy it.

Stigma of Crime Scene

This is a problem that Realtors often face. It's called 'Crime Scene Stigma'. The homes that have been tainted by murder rampage, mass suicide or even grow-ops can scare buyers off. It can stall the sale of homes and property. Often you see prices far below their market worth.

No Legal Obligation to Disclose it in Alberta

Unlike some U.S. states, Canadian real estate agents are not required by guidelines to disclose a home’s traumatic history. Instead, home sellers are expected to share details of violent crime or suicide just as they would structural defects.

Murder Attracts Bus Tours

Homes where notorious murders and suicides happened are often magnets for attention. In St. Catharines, Ontario the 'House of Horrors' where Paul Bernardo tortured, raped and killed two schoolgirls was constantly pictured on the news. It was eventually bulldozed. In the United States, some suburban crime scenes attract bus tours like the infamous 'Clutter Family Home' in Kansas written up in the book 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote.

Realtors are Stuck Between Buyer and Seller.

There has been a horrid murder recently. The photos of the little blue house in Calgary's Brentwood district have been widely spread across news channels. Five brutal stabbings in the long-time rental property leave one man charged with the murders. Realtors of the Brentwood home have omitted the details in the real-estate listing. The asking price is $489,900.

Property Record Searches

What kind of information can you find out from a property record search? Recent divorce? Times the home has been on and off the market? Is the home in foreclosure? These facts can be located and Real Estate Agents can find them. There is also a new website launched where 'Walls Talk' at HouseCreep.com. The site lists more than 20,000 properties in North America. The Brentwood house has not yet been added.

For more info call 403-680-4479

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5 Best Ways to Ensure Your Home Sells Fast

5 Best Ways to Ensure Your Home Sells Fast

Pick a Tech Savvy Realtor

Today your realtor not only has to be reputable (belong to an accountable organization of realtors) but also tech savvy. They must take good digital photos and may even prepare a virtual tour video that they then post on a website. They must be available at a moment's notice by cell phone or instant text email.

Best Bang for the Buck - Pro Stagers

There are now Pro Real Estate Stagers. Your Real Estate Agent may be able to recommend one. He or she will advise on the best ways and even cheapest ways to improve the look of your home and property for showing. Have you ever seen the caption under an ad for a home, "A pleasure to show"? These words are not for the agent's pleasure but to catch the eye of the buyer.

Get a Home Inspection

Why wait for the potential buyer to get a home inspection? Get one first. He or she can point out unforeseen issues that you never would have thought about on your own. Issues like plumbing, roofing, heating/air conditioning, drainage, basement mould and any electrical concerns need to be addressed before an offer is made on your home. Get the jump start and have the documentation ready and proof of work done to avoid delays.

Make Your Kitchen Really Cook

It's an old saying but the kitchen is still the heart of the home. Here is where you want to spend your money for home improvements. If updating old lighting fixtures with brighter, more energy-efficient ones, replacing a kitchen faucet or adding new cabinet door handles is within your budget then by all means do it. Many people opt for re-facing old doors or giving them a fresh coat of paint. Also many dishwasher panels can be switched around simply by removing a couple of screws. Sliding the panel out and flipping it over gets rid of the old scratched, dented or stained panel in a jiffy.

The Bathroom is Next

Buff up the Bath. Next to kitchens bathrooms are important rooms to update. Think of simple things like a new toilet seat and a new vanity or pedestal sink, easy for any handy homeowner to install. If you've installed a new sink, surely you can use easy-to-stick vinyl tiles to cover up the old bathroom floor. Consider re-grouting or re-tiling the tired-looking tub area. If it's within your budget a prefabricated tub and shower surround will give the bathroom a shiny, new fresh look that appeals to potential buyers.

Need more tips?  Call me, Chris 403-680-4479

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Visit: www.yourhomeinalberta.com/

Why Choose Calgary Downtown?

Why Choose Calgary Downtown?

In the recent past, Calgary downtown didn't offer much in the way of entertainment as a reason to stay after work. That is changing. In fact people are choosing to stay downtown after five to dine and then maybe go to a show instead of fighting the traffic home. Public transportation runs through downtown Calgary and you can ride the C-train to take you to your destination.

Everything You Can Imagine

The downtown core offers almost everything you can imagine with some of the best fine dining, pubs and lounges and unique high end stores such as Holt Renfrew at 510 8th Ave SW. Calgary has many parks like the Elbow River and various pathways for an outdoor experience that you may be missing. Many residents choose to park their cars and then take a walk.

Attractions

There's plenty to see: Fort Calgary at 750 9 Ave SE is a Historic Site complete with a Museum, The Glenbow Museum at 130 9 Ave SE is Western Canada’s largest museum. Olympic Plaza at 801 Macleod Trail SE is an Urban Park, site of open air festivals. The Bow, at 124 7^th Ave. is Canada’s tallest skyscraper outside of Toronto. The Epcor Centre at 205 8 Ave. SE is a wonderful arts venue for performing arts. It is the home of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. There's also the Dragon City Mall at 100 3 Ave SE which is considered an attraction with its Asian theme.

Why Not Live Downtown? Buy, Lease or Rent

For maintenance free living and close to all the hotspots there are plenty of condos, lofts and townhouses to choose from. There are many construction projects on the go and planned for the near future throughout downtown Calgary. You can see how desirable the downtown core will eventually become. Why not buy now rather than later?

Call Chris 403-680-4479

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Visit: www.yourhomeinalberta.com/

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